Home trend designs, and go with the years but there are some we wish would just die. Some are so outdated and I have no idea why they keep making the rounds, but it’s like that old saying, “there’s nothing new under the sun” is certainly true when it comes to fashion, opinions, and design. But, if you’re planning on a remodeling your home or doing some renovations there are some key trends that you should just probably forget about.

#1. Dimension Roof Shingles

Having a kaleidoscope of colors on your roof just detracts from the house itself. Having a solid colored roof works better especially if you have different textures and colors on the house itself. It’s more likely to clash with your colors rather than a good compliment.

#2. Glass blocks.

Those big, glass blocks that allow light to come through a shower or bathroom are simply outdated, not that I think they were ever really in style but these newer homes use creative glass designs or skylight that offer the same idea without being dated.

#3. Cheap patio furniture.

“This might be fine right out of college or as a young newlywed couple, but a few years down the line, cheap patio furniture just doesn’t have the longevity and you’re more likely to replace it with something a little more substantial and longer-lasting.” – Tip from Orlando Buyers Agents

#4. Brass fixtures.

I think there was once a time where brass was in, but unless it is specifically and intentionally put in a certain place, it’s just outdated. Brass door knobs, fireplace fixtures, lighting fixtures, and the like should all be updated to something more modern and timeless such as a brushed nickel or an antique bronze.

#5. Ornate iron.

“Yes, iron does age well and stands the test of time, however, ornate and overly done designs could be very outdated. Choose a simple, and timeless design if you’re looking for wrought iron.” – Tip from Louisville Realtor®

#6. Gray overload.

White was the neutral color for a long time and then we switch to gray, but some people have gone gray overboard. Too much gray leaves it drab so you want some pops of color in your exterior home design.

#7. All brick.

Some brick accents such as posts and maybe one section of the exterior part of your house in brick make a statement but an entire brick house looks dated.

#8. Carpet everywhere.

Carpet was definitely the thing in the 70s and 80s and then we pulled that carpet up and enjoyed our hardwood floors. But, a good mix of both can create a timeless look. You definitely don’t want carpet in a bathroom or kitchen but soft carpet or even area rugs over hardwood floors and a bedroom creates a soft and inviting environment.

The last thing you want is your entire house falling apart and a mountain of home maintenance tasks AND that’s the last thing buyers want as well. Whether you are selling your home or just giving it some love, staying on top of home maintenance will make it much easier to manage when little hiccups come along. If you’re looking to simplify your life, use these 3 tactics for preventative home maintenance.

#1. Repair things right away.

I know this seems like a duh idea but don’t let that list get long. In the age of technology, we can tell Alexa or Google to put things on a shopping or to-do list. Do it right away. Light bulb out? “Alexa, put light bulb on the list”. Leaky faucet? “Okay Google, put clamp on the list”. Whatever it is, don’t wait longer than 4 days to fix it otherwise it will get thrown to the wayside and forgotten until your floor is soggy and your house is dark and you have to make special trips to get things done. Get the items you need next time you’re out and just complete the task. Set yourself a reminder on your Apple Watch, FitBit or Phone. Don’t let the repair go past 4 days if you can possibly help it.

#2. Get the service done rather than the repair.

Keeping your heating and cooling systems in good working order is one of the best preventative maintenance things you can do. Call a furnace specialist for an annual service and same with cooling systems. We do this for our cars, why not our houses? We want our systems to run smoothly and it’s hard to think about them when they are running great, but when they don’t it can be really expensive to repair. Think of this with your appliances as well. Get cleaning solutions for dishwashers, washing machines, and other appliances to keep them clean and working well. Vacuum out the lint hose of your dryer at least once a year. Make a list AND when to do it so you’re not stuck one whole weekend doing everything. Add a project a weekend until it’s all completed. You’ll feel better and your home will run more efficiently.

#3. Keep an eye out for leaks.

Water leaks are one of the biggest problems a home can have. Water damage can cause a mountain of expensive repairs so staying on top of them is essential to keeping a well-maintained home. Anytime you see a leak anywhere, nip it in the bud right away. Look for dark spots under pipes, in cabinets, toilets that rock and any drips. Fix roof leaks immediately and NEVER put off a repair. A $200 repair could prevent a $2000 replacement.

It can be difficult to create a new habit of repairing immediately but once you do, you’ll be much more relieved. You’ll also get so used to it and you’ll automatically repair things as you go. Once you get in that habit, the house will stay cleaner and you’ll feel less stressed.

Have more questions about home improvements? Give us a call! We handle all home buyers in the Sunset Beach real estate market and beyond.

If you liked this post, these may also offer great tips for home maintenance:

Once you’ve found the home you want to stay in, well, pretty much forever, you may want to make some permanent changes to the property so it suits your lifestyle for years to come. Of course, this all depends on your age when you buy the home too. You may not want to be installing a stair lift if you’re in your 30s but it might be a good idea if you’re in your 60s. You may not need it now, but if you have a 2-story home, this can alleviate some pains and hazards later on.

But regardless, there are some great projects that you can do to love your home and make it super convenient for you for years to come.

#1. Curbless shower.

This can cost up to $10,000 but the benefit is amazing. A curbless shower allows you to walk in and out without stepping over a large threshold. It opens at the floor space for easy maneuvering and can also help the eight the cramped feeling if you need someone else in the shower with you. You might also consider a rolling shower chair or an installed fold-down chair for easy showering.

#2. Decorative grab bars in the bathroom.

While you’re already in their, consider installing some decorative grab bars the blend into your bathrooms design and avoid that hospital. These can hold your weight but have decorative details such as a shower rack or shelving. It adds just another level of safety to a sometimes slippery room.

#3. Pullout shelves in the kitchen.

You certainly don’t need to be retirement age to enjoy this feature. This can cost anywhere from $1000-$2500 and it creates pullout pantry shelving system for easy access. These pulldown shells and upper cabinets and pullout shelves in lower cabinets can help you reach all of the items safely and effectively without the risk of climbing on a stool, letter, or kneeling on the floor. (And the bonus is you won’t forget what you’ve put into the back of the cabinet).

#4. Add drawer pulls and knobs to cabinets and drawers.

A lot of homes were built in the 1980s and 1990s without any hardware on the kitchen cabinets and drawers. It can be harder to grasp the cabinets as you get older but regardless of your age, having a solid knob to hold on to within easy open and close system for drawers and cabinets will make everyone’s life easier. This can cost up to about $300 depending on how many cabinets you have.

#5. Add LED canister lights.

Mood lighting with lamps and small light fixtures may not cut it as we age. Simply installing rows of LED canister lights running lengthwise on each side of the room can add a lot of light and brightness to the space.

#6. Eliminate thresholds and stairs if possible.

Replacing the front steps with a ramp can make it easier for just about anyone to access your house. You might also consider eliminating the door threshold as it can create a tripping hazard. To remove the threshold, give the door a retractable bottom that seals when the doors close and lifts when the door is open. You can activate the device and open the door with just one finger and is considered a small project of around $400.

Of course, the longer you live in the home the more you make it your own. There are always tips, tricks and things you can do to make a home truly your own but these are some easy projects you might consider, especially if you plan on being in the home far into your golden years.

I certainly don’t want to use the term “lazy” when I’m talking about inexpensive fix ups to make your home look more expensive than it really is because all of these things do take time and of course, money. But there are ways to create an expensive look in your home for fractions on the dollar. Here are some unique ways that you can live well, look expensive and still have money left over in your budget.

#1. Light wood floors.

Nowadays these dark wood floors are all the rage whether they are a dark cherry, stained dark or painted black but they may not look that way forever. The same goes with black vehicles; they only look good a few minutes after you wash them. Give it a day or two and they’ll be stuff all over it again. The same is true with your hardwood floors. Going with a lighter wood or a white washed wood can reflect more light into the room and show a lot less dirt.

#2. Quartz instead of granite.

There are a lot of ways to get that faux granite look. You don’t have to worry about chips, stains or scratches and there’s never resealing when you go with the quartz countertop instead. Also, quartz comes in hundreds of finishes and colors and always looks the same regardless. With marble or with granite, what you see is what you get and you usually cannot replace it with a similar style as it just won’t match.

#3. Artificial turf.

Stay with me here; this is not the neon green, hard and rough turf that you probably remember from the football field back in high school. Today’s artificial turf can be lush, dark green and even soft with various bits of brown, black and lighter blades mixed in between. It truly does look very real and of course you’ll never have to water it, saving money on the environment and your utility bill and you’ll never have to mow it.

#4. Easier shower doors.

A frameless glass enclosure for your shower can look modern and sleek and by eliminating the frame you can cut down on the soap scum and gunk that can accumulate along the frame. The only thing you’ll have to do is squeegee the glass about every few uses in order for it to look pristine and clear. You could even look at the easy care glass that may require very minimal if any maintenance at all.

#5. Artificial fireplace.

In many of today’s newer homes gas fireplaces are all the rage. You can even go with an electric fireplace to give you the ambiance without a lot of heat, especially if you live in a warm climate. There are even ways to cut back on the costs here. You can choose gas logs if you have an existing fireplace that are just a couple hundred dollars rather than an entire insert that may be a couple thousand dollars.

These are just a few touches that you can make to your existing home to add flair and luxury without the luxurious price tag. For more information on upgrading your home, home improvement tactics or staging your home for today’s buyers throughout Sunset Beach and surrounding communities and towns contact our office today.

What our clients say

Zillow – WOIDATRC

"Real estate transactions are usually involved and this was no exception. From our first meeting to the final script on...

5.0

2017-12-19T22:13:46+00:00

"Real estate transactions are usually involved and this was no exception. From our first meeting to the final script on the purchase contract, Frank and Karen were extraordinary examples of sterling professionalism, care, and concern. Tell me how many buyer brokers would make trips to the potential purchase to check on progress and assure all was in order without being asked. Frank and Karen did. Tell me how many would go the extra mile sans any solicitation to protect the buyers interest during each and every step of a transaction. Frank and Karen did. Tell me how many people have earned your implicit trust for their consistent honesty and integrity. Frank and Karen did. Frank and Karen were expert at developing and maintaining a relationship--a rare talent these days, and more important to us than the actual purchase itself. My wife and I gained more than a new home -- we gained genuine friends. Frank and Karen are consummate buyer brokers and we cannot recommend them highly enough. Frank and Karen, thank you both for the pleasure of having made your acquaintance and for all of your assistance. R & L."

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Steve & Jean DeVito

“The Bakers treated us like family during our whirlwind weekend of looking at houses. Prior to our on-site visit to...

2015-03-16T20:17:46+00:00

“The Bakers treated us like family during our whirlwind weekend of looking at houses. Prior to our on-site visit to Sunset Beach they created a portal and populated it with properties that met our ever-evolving criteria. By time we arrived we had a good feel for what we could afford and what was available that met our criteria. The Bakers, especially Karen, were able to make sense of what we thought we were looking for and eventually matched us with a house that we ended up purchasing — Karen called it the “This is it” house and she was right. We are loving our 2nd home and appreciate how painless Karen and Frank made the process. All the paperwork was done seamlessly and quickly and the closing went off without a hitch. The Bakers do not believe in the hard sell — they gave us the knowledge we needed and the guidance we needed to make our dream a reality.”

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Matt & Amy Carver

Amy and I have bought and sold four properties in the past twelve years. Both of you are the best...

2015-03-16T20:18:22+00:00

Amy and I have bought and sold four properties in the past twelve years. Both of you are the best realtors we have ever dealt with. Amy and I both felt we could trust you to look out for our interest. The level of service you provided was outstanding, from taking the trash out, helping the buyer with inspecting the irrigation system, dealing with our tenants, always being there if we needed to ask a question, providing constant updates on the market and always keeping us informed on the sale of our house. I think your next venture should be training other realtors, because both of you have mastered the art of providing excellent service. I will be sure to recommend the Frank and Karen team to anybody looking for a trust worthy, knowledgeable and top performing realtor. It was a pleasure working with both of you.”

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Ernie & Carol G.

“Karen & Frank Baker are the best. They are very knowledgeable with the area & showed us many homes. When...

2015-03-16T20:18:50+00:00

“Karen & Frank Baker are the best. They are very knowledgeable with the area & showed us many homes. When we made up our minds which one we wanted, they got us the best deal on it. We were very satisfided with them. After the purchased was made & we moved in, they were still there to answer any questions or problems that we might of had. Like I said, they are the BEST.”

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Dave & Rose

“Thanks again for all the time you spent with us, As overwhelming as it was, you two made it fun”

2015-03-16T20:19:23+00:00

“Thanks again for all the time you spent with us, As overwhelming as it was, you two made it fun”